Beltwide Time
March 5, 2009 The annual Beltwide Cotton Conferences are the cotton industry’s signal that a new crop year has begun. These conferences are a great opportunity to see and hear about some of the latest products, processes and technologies that have been created through the work and funding of Cotton Incorporated. A list of these Beltwide presentations can be found at http://www.cottonboard.org/BeltwideCIPresentations.pdf.
The list includes a Plant Bug and Stink Bug Workshop, an Economics Symposium and an update presentation on some of the latest cotton finishing innovations that have been developed at our World Headquarters and Research Center in Cary, NC. I look forward to updating conference attendees on these and other Cotton Incorporated activities at the Production Conference on Wednesday, January 10.
One of the most important cooperative ag research projects we have funded the last two years has led to the release of a multi-faceted and very user-friendly suite of cotton production record-keeping software. Our Ag Division’s economist, Dr. Jeanne Reeves, has worked with two outside companies to bring this software product to market. I urge you to attend Wednesday’s Cotton Incorporated-sponsored Record Keeping Workshop “Laying the Groundwork to Finding Your True Cost of Production” where this software will be demonstrated. At Cotton Incorporated, we will continue to create consumer-directed promotions that build demand for your fiber and design research projects that deliver technologies for your farming operation.
I hope to see you at the National Cotton Council’s Beltwide Conferences in New Orleans.
Pillowcases Full Of Care
Cotton fabric has been making comfortable clothes for generations, and thanks to four sixth graders and a fabric donation from Cotton Incorporated, it’s now helping comfort children who have been diagnosed with cancer. The project started when the team of sixth graders – twins Kaylie and Taylor Ogle from Clovis, CA, Ashlen Albus of Levelland, TX, and Kassidy Gandy of Bledsoe, TX – competed in the U.S. Army’s national Web-based competition earlier this fall which challenged them to propose solutions to real community issues through science, math and technology.
After learning that many cancer patients don’t often receive the support system they need during treatment because of their unique medial problems, the foursome chose to make comfortable pillowcases to help lessen their pain. After testing several fabrics, the girls found cotton to be the best fit to minimize discomfort often caused by pillowcases made from other fabrics that tend to irritate sensitive skin. Their efforts continue to grow, and for more on their story, see: http://sew-n-sew-girls.tripod.com.
Teaming Up For U.S. Cotton
Cotton Incorporated and Cotton Council International jointly sponsored two recent high-profile events to help promote U.S. cotton. The Cotton Forum was held in Mexico City where 38 major textile manufacturers from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Columbia and the U.S. attended to display cotton fabrics to over 400 visiting retailers, manufacturers and importers. The program included several conferences, a workshop, as well as a private fashion show highlighting creations from 17 Mexican designers. Over 600 people attended the event to see cotton fabrics from 12 key mills in Mexico. The second event was the Intertextile Shanghai Trade Show — the most important apparel fabrics show in all of Asia. “This show is very successful at reaching both mills and manufacturers in China and sourcing interests worldwide,” explains Dean Turner, senior vice president, Global Account Management, Cotton Incorporated.
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